Vyjayanthimala Bali (born 13 August 1936), also known by the mononym Vyjayanthimala, is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, Carnatic singer, dance choreographer and parliamentarian. She made her debut in the Tamil language film Vazhkai in 1949 and in the Telugu Film Jeevitham in 1950 later became one of the most prominent actresses of South India and the golden era in Bollywood;Vyjayanthimala was one of the biggest Bollywood stars in a career lasting almost two decades. She was also the first south Indian actress to become a national star and "paved a way" for other south Indian actresses to foray into Bollywood. Vyjayanthimala is an accomplished dancer and was one of those who introduced semi-classical dance to Bollywood. Her subsequent dance numbers in her films had earned her the title of "twinkle toes". She was also referred to as one of the first female superstars of Hindi cinema and was known as "Numero Uno actress" for her "illustrious career in 1950s and 1960s".
I am basically an emotional person. Otherwise, I wouldn't be an artiste. I always speak from my heart and that's the way I like to be.
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I believe in the purity of art. I think you have to be pure at heart to depict divinity.
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Art has now become less spiritual because of the attempts to modernize it. I don't believe in fusion. East is East and West is West. I plan to continue dancing and doing social service.
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Fact
1
Has three step children from her husband Dr.Chaman Bali's first marriage. He was previously married to Rubi Bali. The three step children are Ratan Bali (Born1956), Rajan Bali (Born 1958), Raman Bali ( Born 1960).
2
Son Suchindra wife 's name is Nandini. They had a daughter named Swara in October 2011.
3
Her fan is Asha Parekh, and they shared a dance number and a comedy scene in the hit film Aasha (1957). Two years later, Asha became a heroine with the hit film Dil Deke Dekho (1959), but still she continued to be in awe of Vyjayantimala, even sneaking on to the Amrapali (1966) set to watch her. She played a Vyjayantimala fan in the film Jawan Muhabat (1971). In real life, the two stars would occasionally have lunch together. In 2016, almost 60 years since they first worked together, Vyjayantimala remembered Asha as "a very nice girl".
4
Son Suchindra Bali aka Pravin Bali is actor.
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She has distanced herself from Bollywood, and Mumbai in general. Continues to play an active role in politics [2004]
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Currently lives in Chennai, and rarely comes to Mumbai. [2003]
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Vajayntimala, was 5 years old when she was chosen to perform in front of the Pope as a part of some cultural celebrations.
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Vyjanthimala was highest paid actress in Hindi Cinema from 1962-65 with Sadhana and 2nd highest paid Hindi actress from 1966-67 with Mala Sinha,Nanda,Waheeda and 3rd Highest paid Hindi actress from 1955-1961.
9
Turned down the mother's role in _Deewaar, which later went to Nirupa Roy.
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An excellent golf player, Vyjayanthimala was introduced to the game by her husband. She has even played in the National Golf Championship (15 Handicap).
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Honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award by the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award for her distinguished contribution to Indian cinema.
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Joined politics for a while, and was close to Indira Gandhi. Vyjayanthimala was elected twice to the Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament's House of the People) and was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha (Indian Parliament's Council of States). She resigned in 1999, however, as she thought the party was drifting from its avowed principles after the death of Rajiv Gandhi.
13
Fell in love with Raj Kapoor's personal physician, Dr. Bali, who treated her for pneumonia after she fell into the lake while shooting for a film. The two grew close and later married and had a child, Suchindra Bali. Vyjayanthimala subsequently decided to leave films while still at the top, and immersed herself in raising her son.
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Formed a popular on-screen pair with both the intense Dilip Kumar in films like Devdas, and the jocular Kishore Kumar in hits like New Delhi (1956) and Aasha (1957).
15
Once refused the Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Award, as she felt that her role as 'Chandramukhi' in Devdas (1955) was not a supporting one; the strong-headed actress felt she was as much the heroine of the film as Suchitra Sen, who played 'Paro'.
16
Was launched by M.V. Raman, a family friend, in AVM's Tamil film, Vazhkai (1949). The film was such a huge hit that it continued its success when remade in Hindi as Bahar (1951), also starring Vyjayanthimala.
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Was known as one of Bollywood's finest dancers of her time. Vyjayanthimala, trained in Bharatanatyam dance, performed some super-hit song and dance numbers in Hindi films, and her influence on films has been far-reaching: with her, semi-classical dance became an integral part of almost every Hindi film heroine's credentials.
18
Vyjayanthimala won the Best Actress Filmfare Award three times, for her roles in _Sadhana (1958)_, Gunga Jumna (1961), and Sangam (1964). She also helped pave the way for more agile and beauteous South Indian actresses, from Hema Malini to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, to conquer the Hindi film industry.
$1.7 Million
